There’s been a lot in the way of Dan Villari.
Syracuse’s tight end started his college career as a quarterback at Michigan. He transferred to the Orange as an offensive signal caller in 2022. The coaching staff, led by Dino Babers at the time, moved Villari to tight end.
Ever since then, Villari has been methodically learning his new position. Offseason injuries have limited his growth. Injuries to other players have forced Villari into unique roles at times.
Now, in his redshirt senior season, Villari
is Syracuse’s primary tight end. More importantly, he’s fully healthy. Villari told reporters in preseason that he had a torn labrum in his left shoulder and nerve damage in his neck.
It all started to culminate in another career day for Villari. He set new career highs in receptions with seven and receiving yards with 104 yards in Syracuse’s 27-20 overtime win against UConn on Saturday. Villari led the Orange in both categories.
“I’ve put in the work myself, and it’s very pleasing,” said Villari.
Many fans will remember Villari’s work in 2023 after he stepped in as Syracuse’s de facto quarterback due to a Garrett Shrader injury. He spear-headed an offensive scheme shift of a run-heavy game plan. However, ever since coming to Syracuse, he’s been behind other quarterbacks on the depth chart. Most notably, he’s been behind Oronde Gadsden on the tight end depth chart.
On Saturday, Villari proved that he was the most trusted and safest option for Steve Angeli multiple times throughout the game. Villari picked up multiple first downs by doing what Gadsden did best. That was finding the soft part of the opponent’s zone defense and making himself available for a throw.
The highlight for Villari came on Syracuse’s go-ahead drive at the end of the 4th quarter, when Villari caught his longest pass of the day from Angeli. The pass went 26 yards and firmly put the Orange into enemy territory.
The play highlighted the relationship that not only Angeli has been building throughout his time as starting quarterback, but that Villari has been building as well.
“We’re really trying to build connection,” said Villari. “We’re talking on the phone. We’re getting extra routes, extra catches. We really want to be great.”
It’s a mindset that the Orange head coach can get behind. With many notable seniors graduating from last season’s 10-win team, Fran Brown has constantly talked about the leaders that have stepped up in their place. Brown said that one of the improvements Villari made in the offseason was learning how to lead.
“He’s not in his own way anymore,” said Brown.
Syracuse relied on leaders like Villari to grind out a rally and come from behind to snatch a victory against UConn. The Orange will need his leadership, his growing skill set and his emerging presence on the field to earn more wins throughout the season. But with his head coach’s belief, there may not be a limit to what Villari can do.
“Dan can be as good as Dan wants to be,” said Brown. “Dan could play on Sunday. Whatever he decides to do, he could do it because he does everything with his all.”
